Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 108: Chapter 106: Obtaining

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Chu Zhiyuan was about to leave when Gao Lingfeng walked in: ”Sir, the Military Suppression Department has sent He Jiujie’s relics, and they are to be archived.”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Gao Lingfeng was about to leave, but was suddenly called back by Chu Zhiyuan: ”Lord Gao, bring them over, I’m curious about what relics this assassin left behind.”

Gao Lingfeng left.

A moment later, he returned with a long box. Inside were three layers. The first layer contained a longsword with an ancient-looking scabbard.

The second layer held a jade bottle and a porcelain bottle.

The third layer contained some miscellaneous items: silver, a pouch, concealed weapons, and even some jewelry.

Chu Zhiyuan did not rush to reach out, instead he observed first.

His Super Sense gave him a slight flutter, which is why he decided to take a look.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have bothered.

After being examined by experts from the Military Suppression Department, anything valuable was already filtered out, leaving only what was deemed worthless.

What the Military Suppression Department deemed worthless, he certainly would not value.

His gaze swept over the multicolored ancient longsword, over the bottles, over the flying knives and poison darts, over the pouch, and finally landed on a copper key.

Chu Zhiyuan reached out and picked up the copper key: ”Archive it.”

”Yes.” Gao Lingfeng closed the long box.

The case was closed, and these relics would be filed into the Archives Bureau, to be disposed of if there was no change in three years.

A killer like He Jiujie would have no family, friends, or comrades to seek justice, so the archiving was just a formality.

These relics were of no use, so they were taken as such.

The Military Suppression Department had likely taken the more valuable items, leaving only scraps with less value.

He picked up the box and left.

Chu Zhiyuan weighed the copper key in his hand.

Heavy and hand-length, with engraved patterns, and complex bristle marks, it was clearly not for an ordinary lock.

To others, such a key was useless.

There are countless keys in the world; finding a lock with just a key is like searching for a needle in a haystack.

It is not the same as finding a person with an item.

A person emits an aura that a Great Grandmaster can clearly sense.

This aura is similar to a combination of body oils, essence blood, and True Qi.

For a Great Grandmaster, vitality is the most important; it continuously drives the generation of aura, allowing them to trace it.

Without vitality, it is like a light without electricity; how can you find this lamp in the dark?

Between a key and a lock, there is no such aura connection, so even a Great Grandmaster cannot use a key to find a lock or a lock to find a key.

But it’s not impossible for Super Sense.

In the world illuminated by Super Sense, objects also have an aura, and a connection can be established between a key and a lock to find the other party.

——

In Yujing, winter is mostly sunny and bright.

But today, the weather suddenly changed.

In the morning, the sun was still shining, and within a while, dark clouds loomed, gloomy, with the cold wind growing stronger, howling fiercely.

Despite the weather, the streets remained bustling and crowded.

People seemed unafraid of the cold, as such weather did not deter them from strolling the streets.

Those out in this weather were indeed unafraid of the cold, all Martial Arts experts, with robust energy and protective Inner Qi or True Qi.

Chu Zhiyuan and Zou Fang sat inside a teahouse.

The teahouse was bustling with activity.

Rushing in from outside, drinking a sip of steaming hot tea to dispel the chill and leisurely watching the outside is very pleasant.

Chu Zhiyuan sat at a table by the window, observing the scene across the street through the window.

Ji Dongxiao strode into the opposite Tonghe Bank, soon emerging with a small box, his expression calm and composed.

Chu Zhiyuan picked up the teacup and sipped leisurely.

Tonghe Bank offered a secure storage service, recognized only by key and number, providing double protection.

A key alone was insufficient, and a number alone was also insufficient.

The Tonghe Bank was backed by no less than the Household Affairs Office. Not only ordinary martial artists but even members of the royal family had to follow the rules.

Chu Zhiyuan had seen its number through his Super Sense, and the rest was simple.

Among the five Grandmasters, Zou Fang was too conspicuous, so Ji Dongxiao, who inspired the most trust, was sent to retrieve it.

”Princely Heir.” Ji Dongxiao came over with a square-foot-sized Purple Lacquer Box.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Let’s go.”

Ji Dongxiao glanced around and, holding the box, escorted Chu Zhiyuan out of the teahouse into the howling cold wind.

Halfway there, snow began to fall.

The howling cold wind carried the large snowflakes like hanging curtains between heaven and earth.

The people on the streets scurried, fleeing to their homes.

However, Chu Zhiyuan and his group walked calmly, slowly, as if the cold wind and snowflakes were blocked from approaching them.

The power of the Four Spirit Array was clear and unmistakable.

The snow and the cold wind were blocked two feet away.

Chu Zhiyuan seemed to be inside a glass dome, appreciating the snow scenery around him.

The wind and snow roared fiercely.

The powerful latent force was unsettling.

He frowned.

He noticed some pickpockets taking the opportunity to make a fortune, as such severe weather was the perfect opportunity for them to strike.

He couldn’t be bothered and returned to the Prince Mansion.

The string of lanterns on both sides of the street at the Prince Mansion swayed wildly in the wind, as if they might be blown away at any moment.

Fallen snow on the street was instantly swept away by the cold wind, piling up in the corners, as if someone was constantly sweeping it.

Chu Zhiyuan glanced at the mansion gate and frowned again.

In the howling cold wind and large snowflakes, a person stood tall and sturdy, covered in shiny armor full of snow.

It was Guo Huai’an, the Marquis Jianchi.

Chu Zhiyuan approached Guo Huai’an, smiling: ”What is the Lord Marquis doing here?”

”Your Highness, I, Guo, have come to apologize.” Guo Huai’an clasped his fist with solemnity: ”I hope the Prince and Princely Heir will be magnanimous and not hold it against me.”

Chu Zhiyuan reached out: ”Lord Marquis, come inside to talk.”

Guo Huai’an shook his head: ”It would be shameful to enter the mansion. Let’s speak outside.”

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”Lord Marquis, you’re putting it too seriously. There’s no offense at all, ... How about this, I’ve invited some young Dukes for a banquet at my new residence tonight. If you don’t mind, why not join us?”

”This...” Guo Huai’an hesitated.

Chu Zhiyuan’s words were ambiguous, seeming to imply something, yet making it uncertain with a moment’s thought, leaving it ambiguous.

Seeing his son’s broken arm from a collision, Guo Huai’an immediately became alert and recognized it as a warning.

From his son’s description of the incident, he quickly concluded it was the Prince Qing Mansion.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled: ”These young Dukes have profound roots in the army, such opportunities are rare, aren’t they? Lord Marquis, are you really not going?”

”Well... they are all young Dukes. Wouldn’t it be inappropriate for someone like me to go?”

”Haha...” Chu Zhiyuan couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Guo Huai’an looked at him, puzzled.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed and said: ”Lord Marquis, your words are truly interesting, ... personally coming to propose a marriage, what else is there to be afraid of?”

”Then... it would be impolite to refuse, thank you, Princely Heir!”

He also heard the sarcasm and barbs in Chu Zhiyuan’s words.

”With military merits to be granted the title of Marquis, I truly admire Lord Marquis.” Chu Zhiyuan clasped his hands and smiled: ”Then we’ll see each other tonight.”

”Yes, yes, then I shall take my leave and visit again in the evening.”

”Please, Lord Marquis.”

Guo Huaisan shook his armor, and the snow flew off instantly. He strode away with tiger-like vigor.

Chu Zhiyuan squinted slightly, watching and smiling.

Turning around, he entered the Prince Mansion’s gate.

Feng Xi approached down the steps, lowered his voice, and said, ”Princely Heir, that Marquis Jianchi is really shameless.”

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”Barefoot is not afraid of shoes, daring and reckless, quite the character.”

It’s a pity it’s a knife.

Still being used to slash at him.

Feng Xi said: ”Shall we teach his son a lesson again?”

”Forget it.” Chu Zhiyuan said: ”He has already come to apologize in person, it’s unreasonable to strike again, let’s see what he does next.”

”Yes.”

Chu Zhiyuan went directly back to the Listening Waves Courtyard.

Zou Fang followed in with the purple box and placed it on the desk.

Chu Zhiyuan pointed with his lips: ”Open it.”

”Yes.” Zou Fang inserted the copper key into the palm-sized copper lock.

The copper lock clicked open, and the box cover slowly lifted.

Inside were only two items.

A piece of Mutton Fat Jade Pendant and a small ink bead.

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